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The Astell&Kern AK320 Portable High Definition Music Player and USB DAC is the 'affordable' flagship of Astell&Kern's music player series. The AK320 has two AKM AK4490 chips that allows for DSD to PCM playback, so that it does not need to convert DSD files to WAV prior to analog conversion. It comes fitted with a VCXO (Voltage-Controlled Crystal Oscillator) Clock to help reduce jitter and ultimately deliver your music more accurately.

The AK320's integrated AKM AK4490 DAC provide exemplary sound quality and detail. It can also be used as an external DAC with your Mac or PC via USB. This hi-res player features 128 GB of inbuilt memory and a microSD card slot that supports up to 256 GB.

The 4.0" WVGA touchscreen provides an easy to use interface while the sleek aluminum body and volume knob are smooth and robust. With the help of its WiFi and Bluetooth (aptX enabled) capabilities, you are not just limited to playback of songs you have on your device, you can also stream tracks from your Mac or PC that have been connected to the same wireless network. The AK320 also comes with a leather case.

The evolution continues

The Astell&Kern AK320 Portable High Definition Music Player and USB DAC is the 'affordable' flagship of Astell&Kern's music player series. The AK320 has two AKM AK4490 chips that allows for DSD to PCM playback, so that it does not need to convert DSD files to WAV prior to analog conversion. I t comes fitted with a VCXO (Voltage-Controlled Crystal Oscillator) Clock to help reduce jitter and ultimately deliver your music more accurately.

Parameter & Graphic EQ

A parametric equalizer is utilized in the AK320 to deliver detailed adjustment of the original sound, with an audio digital signal processor (DSP) added to help in this process. This frees up CPU cycles earlier required for calculating graphic equalizers (GEQ), providing more detailed and accurate calculations via the dedicated DSP. The audio DSP expands the existing 10-band, ±0.5 dB graphic equalizer to a 20-band, ±0.1 dB to more precisely adjust the frequency and gain (dB) as well as more accurately specifying the frequency range via Q value adjustments.

AK Connect App

Astell&Kern has further enhanced DLNA functionality via the AK Connect app. Wireless networking DLNA (version 1.0) connects to a NAS or PC, and is easily controlled with a smartphone or tablet through AK Connect. Source files on a PC or NAS can be freely transferred and streamed without the hassle of turning on the physically connecting with a cable. If on the same access point (AP) network, music files on a PC or NAS can be played back via DLNA.

USB DAC

Astell&Kern has added some brand new components to the AK320, including new AKM AK4490 DACs (digital to audio converters), moving away from the Cirrus Logic chips they have used in the past. The new chips are arranged in a dual-mono setup for brilliant stereo separation, lots of sonic space, and all the detail you could want. It can also be easily connected to your PC or Mac to be used as an external DAC.

What is Graphic Equalization?

Graphic equalization separates the audible frequency register into several registers and amplifies or reduces the level of each register with a volume control to adjust the respective frequency's characteristics. The switches of the volume slider are connected like a graph to visually determine the frequency characteristics, hence the name "graphic equalizer."

Pressure-sensitive Metal Capacitive Touch

The AK320 features the same metal touch interface as the AK380. The Metal Touch functions as a home key and interfaces with the device via pressure-sensitive touches.

128GB In-Built + 128GB Expandable Memory

The AK320 features 128GB of inbuilt memory while supporting microSD cards of up to 128 GB. The AK320 therefore has a total storage capacity of 256 GB! This inbuilt capacity itself is capable of storing approximately 1250 or more MQS audio files.

Equipped with Femto Clock for Pure Sound

More Expandable Options

The AK320 offers great expandable options through its micro USB connection and balanced out ports on the bottom of the unit. The AK380's functionality is expandable by connecting to a variety of devices. You can increase the output and connect to a greater variety of high-impedance professional headphones through the upcoming AK380 Amp. The AK380 Cradle features balanced output in addition to USB data transfer and charging capabilities, and the AK380 CD-ROM drive rips audio CDs directly to the AK380.

24 Bit 192kHz Bit to Bit Playback

The AK320 is capable of bit-to-bit playback up to 24-bit, 192 kHz. 32-bit audio is downsampled using a sample-rate converter (SRC). Also, DSD 64/128 can be played back via conversion to PCM.

What is VCXO?

A VCXO, or a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator, is a type of crystal oscillation device that creates oscillation frequencies. External environmental stimuli, which in this case mean voltage inputs, influence the frequency value. Adjustments to the voltage input tunes a precise frequency value.

What is Jitter?

Jitter refers to the undesired deviation in time that occurs in a periodic signal. In this case, jitter is the error that occurs in the reference clock required to perform the sampling in digital audio equipment. By utilizing a femto clock, the AK380 is able to create a more accurate frequency value and make fine jitter corrections. As a result, the AK380 faithfully reproduces analog sound closer than ever to the original source when transmitting a digital signal as an analog signal.

"The AK320 is the latest hi-res player to be added to A&K’s family of portable players and takes styling and features from the AK380. The AK320 is billed as "a more affordable flagship", costing £1499."Read More

Customer Reviews

Absolutely love the quality of AK320 in-terms of resolution of detail.

Strengths:
- - Great connectivity:Works well as both a portable(bluetooth/DLNA) device and as a stand alone DAP to your Headphone
- - Works wonders with even good 320 Kbps VBR but would highly recommend Tidal as well as FLAC/Wav files
- - Sound isn't fully analytical the DAC(dual) adds its own musical color, which is fun for Bollywood/Rap/POP reggae/RnB but is spectacular for classical(western/Indian)
- - Noticeable improvement in SQ can be felt even when paired with decent speakers/Home theatre

Other Notes:
- - With good headphones/earphones I would suggest balanced outs(to my ear sound better)
- - Clearly the better the Headphone the better is the output
- - For higher impedance Headphones I would like to believe that one would need to use the an AMP

Recommendation:
If connectivity is important and Money is not a big concern then AK320 is a great buy. However, if connectivity is important and money is also a concern you should look at the other line of products from Astell and Kern(AK300?, Kann? 70 or Jr).However if connectivity is not important and you have all your music files with you offline then you should also consider products from makers like Cowan/Lotto or Sony. Finally you if you need to optimise(money) between a headphone and a DAP then I'd say go for the better headphone any day.

The AK320 sounds Magical with my Campfire Audio Vega and HD650. However with the isine10 and Earsonics SM3 it sounds great but not magical. So, purchasing the AK320 also is a factor of the systems you want to drive with it. For the Isine10 you might not get the returns on investment like you get say with Vega.

s

sidharth virs.v.sidharth v.

5 star

Ak 320 is excellent in voice & built quility Tha voice is more than cd player im very much happy from headphone zone their response and service is excellent im regretting that i should purchage Ak 380 i had a fear that im spenging so much money in Ak 320 i thouht my be wastage of money but it has gold standards Every beat of song is very clear and powerful and compact. Thank u headphone zone

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